Andrew Gregory Grutka (November 17, 1908 – November 11, 1993) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as first bishop of the Diocese of Gary in Indiana from 1956 to 1984. Biography Early life Andrew Grutka was born on November 17, 1908 , in Joliet, Illinois, the son of Slovak immigrants from Spišská Stará Ves. He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Grutka was ordained a priest on December 5, 1933, by Cardinal Francesco Selvaggiani for the Diocese of Fort Wayne. Grutka was serving as the pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Gary, Indiana, on his final pastoral assignment. Bishop of Gary On December 29, 1956, Grutka was named bishop of the newly created Diocese of Gary by Pope Pius XII. He was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani Bishops John Cody and Leo Pursley were the principal co-consecrators. From 1962 to 1965, Grutka attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome and was responsible for implementing the Council's reforms in the diocese. In 1959, Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, was named for his patron, Andrew the Apostle. Retirement and legacy Pope John Paul II accepted Grutka's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Gary on July 9, 1984.After his resignation, Grutka remained active in the diocese, ministering to parishioners. Andrew Grutka died at his home in Valparaiso, Indiana, on November 11, 1993 at age 85. He was entombed in the east transept of Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. References 1908 births 1993 deaths 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Participants in the Second Vatican Council People from Joliet, Illinois People from Gary, Indiana Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend Roman Catholic bishops of Gary Catholics from Illinois American people of Slovak descent